Tony WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to ensure that former coalfield areas receive increased awards from the National Lottery distributors. [152997]
§ Kate HoeyMy Department and Lottery distributors commissioned research into the impact of the Lottery on the coalfields and is working with coalfields groups to take forward the report's recommendations. These include actively encouraging applications from areas of low take-up, producing flexible partnership funding requirements, making decision making more transparent, and better co-ordination with other organisations responsible for regenerating coalfields. We shall continue to monitor carefully applications and awards in coalfields areas.